Jeffrey Ougler, Sault Star

Stories

There “could” be reduced services in the case of a paramedic strike, says city CAO Al Horsman.However, critical or emergency calls would continue to be addressed and responded to, he said.“Community safety is a priority and ambulance service will continue during work action per the essential services agreement,” Horsman told The Sault Star Monday.M

Talks late last week between the city and union representing 54 paramedics accomplished “nothing,” says Laurie Lessard-Brown, president of Unifor Local 1359.A “no-board report” has been requested, and a strike deadline has been set for Feb. 28 at 12:01 a.m. The two sides are slated to meet Feb. 26 and Feb. 27 to iron out an essential services agree

Civility, curiosity and ‘big picture thinking’ sought.Sault Area Hospital seeks one, possibly two directors, and up to four individuals to sit on committees.SAH’s board of directors is the facility’s governing body, responsible for exercising governance authority and setting policy direction. The board is accountable to the members of the corporati

The fact “they’re still talking” buoys Ron Bonnett.Trade ministers from Canada, Mexico and the United States, wrapped up the sixth round of NAFTA negotiations in Montreal Monday, with all parties agreeing some progress was made, but conceding challenges remain. Bonnett, Canadian Federation of Agriculture president and a Bruce Mines beef farmer, has

The fact three regional nursing homes are listed as among 20 Ontario facilities with the highest-reported rates of staff-to-resident abuse “boggles” Margo Dale’s mind.Responding to the CBC Marketplace investigation, Crying Out for Care, which cited Extendicare Maple View, in Sault Ste. Marie, as well as Lady Dunn Health Centre, in Wawa, and St. Jos

Producing physicians who are not only qualified to work in Ontario’s hinterland, but would be happy living there and stay for the long haul, is essential to curing regional health-care inequities, says the vice-president clinical with North East Local Health Integration Network.Dr. Paul Preston says relying on locums, or temporary physicians, in On

The Walk for Alzheimer’s, which took place Sunday afternoon at White Pines Collegiate and Vocational School, is an annual Alzheimer Society of Sault Ste. Marie and Algoma District fundraiser to help support programs and services provided at no cost to area residents with dementia and their caregivers. The event attracted participants of all ages, i

What would Ian Thornley’s old Berklee College of Music professors think of their former charge’s ultimate choice of musical direction?“I have no idea … I have no idea,” laughs the front man for Big Wreck, the Canadian/American rock unit he formed with three classmates while attending the tony Boston school in the early 1990s.Grunge was rearing its

Diversity and fine dining.It’s a combination Ife Akintunde assures will be in ample supply at the 2018 annual Black History Month Celebration and Dinner.“It’s an event where we celebrate the diversity in our community,” Akintunde, an event organizer, told the Sault Star in an interview. “We come together to just have a moment of celebration.”This y

Stretching the Sault Star Santa Fund didn’t hurt.This year’s campaign officially wrapped Jan. 12, posting a total that exceeded officials’ expectations, with $86,164.04 collected for Christmas Cheer.“When I totalled it up, I was in my glory,” fund co-ordinator Brunella Gagliardi said.Officials opted to extend the campaign one week when the official

Should no deal between the city and
its paramedics be hammered out by
week’s end, pickets could be up by
mid-February, says the union
representing the 54 health-care
workers employed in the EMS division
of Sault Ste. Marie Fire Services.“If
not, we’re at an impasse and the clock
is ticking,” Laurie Lessard-Brown,
president of Unifor Local 1359, tol

There’s no question swelling numbers of alternate-level-of-care patients housed in hospitals are unhealthy for such health-care facilities.Sault Area Hospital has operated, on average, at 106 per cent capacity since April — with some months reaching 115 per cent — the result of a heightened ALC patient presence, the largest proportion awaiting long

Sault Area Hospital has seen a
“slight” rise over the last few weeks
of people presenting with flu-like
symptoms in its emergency
department.But this has yielded “few”
admissions, the hospital says.SAH has
worked “closely” with Algoma Public
Health to monitor the flu situation
locally and across the province and
has been preparing for current numbe

In the world of withdrawal management
services, patient profiles are
changing.“Twenty years ago, it wasn’t
uncommon to have middle-aged men with
alcohol issues,” says Elizabeth
Ferguson, Sault Area Hospital’s vice-
president of clinical operations and
chief nursing officer. “Now we have
patients who are all ages who are into
substance abuse, all dif

The collapse of Britain’s Carillion will not trigger any “interruptions in service,” Sault Area Hospital says.SAH’s maintenance/service contract is with Hospital Infrastructure Partners, which contracts with Carillion Canada to provide facilities management services at the hospital. Rose Calibani, SAH public affairs officer, said Tuesday the hospit

Canadian agriculture’s top official says he’s “still optimistic” the North American Free Trade Agreement will not die on the negotiating table. And it’s not just pressure from Canada and others that may prompt the U.S. administration to not walk away from the continental trade pact, says Canadian Federation of Agriculture president Ron Bonnett.“I t

Sault Ste. Marie and Algoma are following a sick national trend.Like the rest of Canada, this region is shouldering increased flu cases — not necessarily a surprise, says Algoma Public Health.“We’re still at expected levels for this time of year,” public health nurse Liisa Daoust told The Sault Star. “It’s still sort of what we expect to see in Jan

It could be dubbed a Fringe benefit.Gearing up for the second Fringe North International Theatre Festival this summer, organizers are offering an early taste in the form two pre-festival events, beginning with a “double-header” on Jan. 20. Debwewin (Truth), an original work by Fringe 2017 alumnus Sarah Gartshore, will be performed at the Black Box

When temperatures become particularly cold outside, business naturally heats up inside Sault Ste. Marie and area agencies that offer overnight shelter — or even just hot coffee and camaraderie.Pauline’s Place, a 19-bed shelter for youth, women and families that are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless, was particularly busy over Christmas, when

Brunella Gagliardi has her eye set firmly on the prize — and she isn’t budging.The Sault Star Santa Fund co-ordinator is determined that at least $85,000 will go into the charity’s coffers.That’s why she has opted to extend the fund for one more week.“I’ll be really ecstatic if it reaches $85,000 … I’d be glorified if it reaches $90,000,” she said